2024
1 Jan. Title of the new book is decided. It will be WE GAVE A DAM.
8 Jan. Comments received form AH on chapters 1-8.
12 Jan. First Comments received for Warren Hibbs and Rick Randall on sill towing and lowering.
23 Jan. Meeting with Bob Napthine at his home in Maidstone. He worked with Costain on the barrier for a year on the Tender then on site from 1974-76. Became Chief Engineering manager for Costain International and on the Tender and on site on the Channel Tunnel until 1994.
30 Jan. There will be 32 pages of photos and drawings in the book. Much work to do.
5 Feb. Epilogue complete.
14 Feb. First draft of book cover received from Terry Bannon.
20 Feb. Made contact with Adrian Franklin, The surviving CTH Project Manager.
21 Feb. Received details of George Davies the ER on barrier site for RPT.
26 Feb. First edit completed for Chapters 1-10. 45,000 words complete.
27 Feb. Meeting with Adrian Franklin at his home in West Byfleet.
10 Mar. First draft of the text completed and list of Plates nearly there – there will be 32pp
18 Mar. Typesetting ongoing.
21 Mar. Typesetting draft finished out for checking. Final checks on plates.
25 Mar. First Barrier Talk at Forest of Blean Rotary Club. Approx 40 guests, introduced by
Les Leslie. Well received.
28 Mar. Final text checks and typesetting completed. Many thanks to Terry Bannon, Charlotte Mournsey and Russell Kilmister.
Order placed for printers.
3 April. U3A confirmed talk for April 2025
5 April. Clays confirm delivery of books to Canterbury on 25 April. Due to be published on 20 May when it will be available online
19 April. Book given good plug at Costain Dinner in London. Met up with Adrian Franklin, Rick Randall, Phil Grice, Alistair Handford and Ian Ronchetti
25 April. Books delivered from printers
1 May. Interview with Richard Hakiman, editor of the New Civil Engineer, for a new podcast
8 May. 40th Anniversary of opening of the Thames Barrier, Visit and photos
9 May. Institution of Civil Engineering barrier event in London 18:30 at Great George St. Talks by myself and Andy Batchelor, Operations Manager of the Thames Barrier